Mumbai have Tare for keeps

The year was 2007 and Mumbai were playing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy final at the Wankhede. Among those watching the hosts win was U-19 cricketer Aditya Tare. On Monday, six seasons later, his dream came true.

Tare contributed to the success by scoring 842 runs from 11 matches at 49.52. And more importantly, he effected 41 dismissals to be the joint holder of the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a season with Punjab’s Uday Kaul.

“It is unbelievable. I only dreamt about it, playing my first full season and becoming the champion. I used to imagine playing for Mumbai as a wicketkeeper-batsman, scoring runs and doing well with the gloves. I am really glad,” Tare said.

The 25-year-old Tare seems to have settled the wicketkeeper’s issue for Mumbai, who have struggled to find an apt replacement after the retirement of Vinayak Samant in 2009-10. They tried Onkar Gurav in 2010-11 and 2011-12 while also experimenting with Hiken Shah and Sushant Marathe.

“Tare is a good cricketer,” former India batsman and now coach of Bengal, WV Raman, said. He received heaps of praise from his captain, Ajit Agarkar, who said, “We have had standout performances from Tare, who has chipped in whenever the team has needed.”